June 1, 1932 - June 29, 2014
COOPERSTOWN - Joan Worrall White, a local businesswoman who possessed a flair for gardening, fashion and life, died early Sunday morning, June 29, 2014, surrounded by her family and caregivers, Linda and Patricia, at her home on Lake Street. She was 82.
She was born June 1, 1932, in Camden, New Jersey, a daughter of Joseph C. Worrall -- a former jockey for F. Ambrose Clark -- and Gertrude Brisack Worrall -- a well-known and respected nurse in the pediatric clinic at Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital.
Joan first married Richard M. Jacobson on February 18, 1952, in Lawton, Oklahoma. She later married Richard Arthur White, Sr. in a ceremony at Christ Church in Cooperstown on May 3, 1980.
Since 1951, Joan made Cooperstown her home and became well-known for her style, flair, and affinity for organizing and supporting community events. For many years she owned The Smart Shop and The Village Squire on Main Street in Cooperstown as well as stores in Canajoharie and Fort Plain. She later bought and sold merchandise for The Church Mouse Boutique and The Farmers' Museum Gift Shop. A long-time member and past president of The Lake and Valley Garden Club, Joan was also a member of the Garden Club of America. For over three decades, Joan and her late husband, Richard, were loyal supporters of the Friends of Bassett and were part of The President's Forum and The Cupola Society. During the over 20-year history of the Bassett New Year's Eve Gala, Joan was a long-time committee member and made a great impact on the success of the New Year's Eve Silent Auction which supports multiple programs at Bassett.
Of the Episcopal faith, Joan was an active member of Christ Church in Cooperstown, where she taught Sunday School and served on the flower committee. She especially enjoyed decorating the sanctuary for Christmas and Easter. She was also a member of the Native Daughters of Cooperstown and often attended the annual luncheons with her mother, Gertrude, and sister, Jean.
In her leisure, Joan enjoyed being a member of the Cooperstown Country Club, where she liked playing tennis with her fellow members. She loved floral arranging, gardening, shopping, and possessed a special style for fashion and decorating her home, especially for Christmas which was her favorite holiday. And she adored all the animals she owned throughout her life, perhaps most of all her beloved walking companion, Stanley.
Joan will be fondly remembered for her overall joie de vivre, and will be greatly missed by her loving family and many friends.
Joan is survived by her sister, Jean W. Johnson, of Cooperstown; her children, Ann T. Mithoefer (Michael) of Sullivans Island, South Carolina, Robin J. Torrence (Rod) of Cooperstown, Brian R. Jacobson (Andrea) and Mark A. Jacobson, all of Phoenix, Arizona, Ellen W. Weir (Michael) of Christian Hill, Richard A. White, Jr. of Lenox, Massachusetts, and David V. White of Ithaca; her former husband, Richard M. Jacobson of DelMar, California; 12 grandchildren, Emily Edwards (Erick), Heather Adcock (Brandan), Matthew Grady (Kara), Christopher Grady (Stacey), Rachel Torrence, Emily Lemieux, Max Jacobson, Ryan, Michael, Andrew and Hanna Jacobson and Eli Weir; and six great grandchildren, Lilly, Gavin, Kian, Beckett, Asher, and Rowan. She is further survived by an aunt, Beatrice B. Hogue; two nieces, Debbie J. Mullet (John) and Meghan King (Rob); a nephew, Timothy R. Johnson (Vicki); and many cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her second husband Richard A. White, Sr., who died January 12, 2008.
Joan's family extends their appreciation to all of the caregivers for the kind, considerate and understanding care they gave to Joan in her last weeks.
The Office of the Burial of the Dead with the Holy Eucharist will be offered at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, 2014, at Christ Church in Cooperstown, with the Rev'd Mark A. Michael, rector, officiating. The Service of Committal and Burial will be private in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown.
The family kindly requests, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Friends of Bassett, 1 Atwell Road, Cooperstown, NY 13326, Susquehanna SPCA, 4841 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326, and Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, 1 Birchwood Drive, Oneonta, NY 13820.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
